Drive system for magnetic recorders



Sept, 27, 194. w. H. WADE DRIVE SYSTEM FOR MAGNETIC RECORDERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1945 2a 21 2; /2/ J4 JZ lillllllllllll! AYTTOHNEY Sept, 27, 3%49. w, H WADE 2,482,88?

DRIVE SYSTEM FOR MAGNETIC naconosns Filed Oct. 25, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 if if Patented Sept. 27, 1949 DRIVE SYSTEM FOR MAGNETIC RECORDERS Willard H. Wade, Syracuse, N. Y., mesne assignments, to Lear, Grand Rapids, Mich This invention relates to magnetic recording systems and more particularly to a novel drive system for a magnetic sound translating unit for use in magazine type recording system.

The present sound translating unit is particularly adaptable for use with the recorder magazine described in the copending application of William P. Lear, Serial No. 593,378, filed May 12, 1945, for "Magnetic recorder," now Patent No. 2,424,856, dated July 29, 1947, and assigned to the same assignee as is this case. As described in said copending application, the magazine contains a pair of spaced reels i'or traversing a linear magnetic recording medium, such as a magnetic wire, with respect to a magnetic translating head, and also contains spooling mechanism for layer winding the wire onto and oil of the reels.

The unit of the present invention comprises driving mechanism and electronic sound translating components cooperable respectively with the driving and spooling mechanism of such magazine and with the magnetic translating head thereof. The present unit may be used either for recording or for reproducing sound and includes novel drive mechanism for selectively con- .ditioning the recording system for either rewinding or for sound recording or reproducing.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a sound translating unit for use with a magazine type magnetic recording system; to provide such a sound translating unit interchangeably cooperative with any one of a plurality of magazines containing a magnetic recording medium and reels for traversing the same with respect to a magnetic recording head; to provide such a unit including push button means for automatically conditioning the unit either for rewinding or for recording or reproducing, and including push-button means placing the unit in a neutral or idling condition; to provide such a sound translating unit including novel drive mechanism for rotating the reels of the magazine; to provide such a translating unit including gear reduction means associated with the reel driving mechanism for operating spooling mechanism in the magazine at a reduced rate of speed with respect to the reel driving means; and to provide a simple easily serviceable light weight sound translating unit for use with a magazine type recording system.

These and other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the assignor, by Incorporated,

a corporation of Illinois Application October 25, 1945, Serial No. 624,545 11 Claims. (01. 242-54) unit of the invention having a magazine engaged available may be observed.

therewith.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the translating unit of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the translating unit of the invention and a magazine associated therewith.

Fig. 4 is an elevation view removed, partly in section, along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating the driving mechanism as conditioned for rewinding.

Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of the driving mechanism as conditioned for recording or reproducing.

Fig. 7 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the driving mechanism control circuit of the unit.

Referring to the drawings, the sound translating unit ll! of theinvention is shown in Fig. 1 as arranged with magazine IS in cooperative relation therewith. Unit Hi includes a base section l6, having a front panel l1, and a cover is. Cover I8 is apertured as at 2| to expose a mounting plate 22 on which magazine I5 is placed.

Front panel is includes controls for the unit. These controls include a series of three pushbuttons H, I! and I3 for electromechanically with the magazine taken substantially conditioning the unit, either for Rewind; Neutral (or Idling); or Record/Reproduce. Further controls comprise a main control switch 23, a power connection 24, an indicating light 25, a jack 26 adapted to receive a plug connected to a microphone, knobs 30, 3| and 32 controlling operation of electrical and electronic components of the unit, and an indicating light 33. A grill 34 conceals a loud speaker incorporated in the unit.

As explained above, the embodiment of the present invention is shown in cooperation with a magazine l5 of the type illustrated in the said copending application. Referring to Figs. 1 and- 3, magazine l5 includes a base 35 having a cover 36 detachably secured thereto by screws 31, and provided with an aperture 38 containing a transparent window through which indicating mechanism registering the amount of talking time Such indicating mechanism is described and claimed in my said copending application.

Magazine l5 contains a pair of reels 40 and 4| interchangeably receiving a magnetic recording wire and secured to shafts 42 and 43 mounted on bearings in upstanding bosses 44 and 43 of base 35. On the lower end of each shaft 42, 43 is a coupling gear 41, 48, respectively amass? 3 detachably engageable with coupling gears 59 and of unit I5. Coupling gears 41, 45, 50 and 5| are of the type shown in said copending application. Reels 40 and 4| are restrained against rotation, when magazine I5 is disengaged from unit I0, by bowed springs 52 and 55 secured to bosses 44 and. 46. Normally, these springs engage the reels to hold the same stationary, and maintain wire 45 taut. when magazine I5 is engaged with unit I0, pins 54 and 55 on the unit enter apertures in the magazine to engage springs 52 and 53 respectively and compress the same out of engagement with the reels to provide for free rotation of the latter. Reels 40 and 4| traverse wire 45 with respect to a magnetic translating head generally indicated at 50.

Unit I0 is more particularly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Base portion I6 is provided with a central recess in which is secured a base plate 56 through suitable coupling means, and on either side of the recess electric and electronic sound translating components may be mounted in the I base portion. A pair of pillars 68 and 10 interconnect base plate 65 to mounting plate 22. Base plate 65, as will be described more fully hereinafter, supports the driving mechanism for rotating coupling gears 50 and 5| and also for operating a spooling drive gear for the spooling mechanism in magazine I 5.

Mounting plate 22, as previously explained, supports magazine I5, and is formed with apertures through which project coupling gears 50 and 5|. These gears are provided with axially extending teeth having rounded outer edges for engagement with similarly formed coupling gears 51 and 58 of magazine I5. An electrical connection member such as a socket 12 is mounted on plate 22 for engagement with a suitable mating electrical connection member in magazine I5. Near its rearward edge, as viewed in Fig. 2, plate 22 is formed with an aperture 15 providing for projection of a spooling mechanism drive gear 16 which cooperates with a similar gear in magazine I5 to operate spooling mechanism'therein.

The driving mechanism in unit I0 for the reeling and spooling means of magazine I5 is motivated by a motor 55 which is mounted on base plate 66 through the medium of supporting pillars 61. The motor may be of the constant speed type customarily used for operating the turntables of electric phonographs and is provided with a driving gear 6| disposed beneath base 66. Gear 5| meshes with a gear 62 on the lower end of a shaft 63 mounted in bearings 54, 64 in a boss 55 secured substantially central of base 66. On the upper end of shaft 63 is a relatively large diameter friction driving disk 51 provided with a shallow recess 59 at its center for a purpose to be described.

Pillar 68 is a hollow generally tubular member having an enlarged portion 11 united to an enlarged portion 18 of an axially aligned pillar 90. Pillar 68 is provided with a flange 9| secured to mounting plate 22 and lower pillar 19 is provided with a flange 92 secured to base 55. Pillars 68 and 80 contain bearings, of which one is indicated at 83, rotatably supporting a shaft 94 to which coupling gear 50 is secured for rotation. Gear 5.0 is movable axially of shaft 94 being normally urged outwardly by a spring 05. The gear may thus move inwardly when magazine I5 is engaged with unit I0 to provide intermeshing engagement with coupling gear 41 of the magazine in the event that there may be a slight angular misalignment of the coupling gear. The rounded edges of the axially extending teeth of the gears facilitate this intermeshing engagement.

At their junction, enlargedsections 11 and 19 of pillars 59 and 00 are formed. with complementary notches forming an aperture 91, and a worm wheel 99 is secured for rotation with shaft 94 and has a portion of its periphery exposed through aperture 01. Pillar 10 is likewise tubular and has a lower enlarged portion 93 secured to an enlarged portion of an aligned pillar 9| having a lower flange 92 secured to base 65. Pillar 10 has an upper flange 94 secured to a gear housing 95. Bearings in pillars 10 and 9|, of which one is shown at 95, rotatably support a shaft 91 to which is secured a worm wheel 98 having a portion of its periphery projecting through an aperture I90 formed by complementary notches in flanges 90 and 93in the same manner as described in connection with pillars 69 and 80.

The upper end of shaft 91 is reduced in diameter as indicated at I05 and coupling gear 5| is secured thereto for rotation with the shaft while being axially movable thereof. A spring I06 urges coupling gear 5| outwardly through an aperture in mounting plate 22.

Beneath gear 5|, a spiralgear I01 is secured to shaft 91 and meshes with a spiral gear I09 on a shaft IIO extending at right angles to shaft 91. A worm III on shaft IIO engages a worn wheel II! on a shaft II3 extending at right angles to shaft IIO. Shaft H3 is suitably mounted in a bracket II4a forming part of gear housing 95. Spooling mechanism driving gear 15 is secured to the rearward end of shaft II9. Due to the speed reduction afforded by gears I01, I08, worm III and worm wheel III, gear 16 is rotated at a considerably reduced rate with respect to the rate of rotation of coupling gear 5|. The spooling mechanism and associated elements in magazine I5 are thus operated at a reduced rate with respect to the rate of rotation of thereels in the magazine.

A shaft |0| extends longitudinally of base 66 and is diametrically aligned with friction disk 51. Shaft I0| is mounted for axial movement in bearings I02, I02, and such axial movement is limited, for a. purpose to be described, by abutments I03, I03 secured to each end of shaft WI. The shaft is formed with a keyway I04 for a considerable portion of its length on either side of the center of disk 51. Worms 4 and H5 are secured for rotation with shaft IOI, adjacent worm wheels 88 and 98 respectively and, in the "idling position of the mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3, are in engagement with the worm wheels maintaining the same against rotation. In turn, this maintains reels 40 and 4| against rotation and thus maintains wire 45 in a taut condition.

A friction drive roller I I5 is keyed for rotation with shaft I0| by a key engaging in keyway I04, but is movable longitudinally of the shaft as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Drive wheel IIS frictionally engages driving disk 51 except when disposed over recess 59, and thus imparts rotation to sh aft IM and worms H4, H5. In accordance with its relative position diametrically of either side of center of disk 51, roller I I6 will rotate shaft I0| in one direction or the other. In a manner to be described, this will effect driving of one or the other of shafts 94 or 91 and thus of reels 40 and 4|.

A U-shaped bracket II1 has its arms I|0 straddling roller '6 and apertured to receive shaft IOI. Base I20 of bracket II1 threadedly engages a shaft-I2I rotatably mounted in bearings I22, I22. Intermediate bracket I I1 and bearings I22, shaft I 2| has secured for rotation therewith beveled gears I23 and I 24. Beveled gears I23 and I24 are adaptedto mesh with beveled gears I25 and I26, respectively. Gears I25, I26 are secured to the upper ends of shafits I21. I28 rotatably mounted in the outer ends of arms I30 and I3I.

Arms I30 and I3I are oscillatively mounted on bearings I32, I32 secured to :base plate 66 and springs I33, each extending between one of the arms and a pin I34,norm-ally urge the arms in a direction to disengage beveled gears I25 and I26 from beveled gears I23 and I 24. Movement of arms I30, I 3| in the inward direction is effected by a pair of solenoids I35 and I40 each having a plunger I36 or I31 pivotally connected to arms I30 or I3I respectively.

For a purpose to be described, base I20 of bracket H1 is provided with a cam surface I adapted to operate snap action switches I42, I43, I44 (Figs. 4 and 7), each of which is provided with an operating roller I 45. The switches are mounted on a Z-shaped bracket I46 suitably secured to mounting plate 22. These switches control 'the operation of solenoids I 35 and I40 to effect engagement of beveled gears I23 and I 25 or I 24 and I26. Upon energization of solenoid I35, for instance, gear I25 is engaged with gear I23. At the same time, a friction drive roller I50 secured for rotation with gear I25 is engaged with the outer periphery of drive disk 51 which is constantly rotated by motor 65 through gears BI and 62 whenever control switch 23 is closed.

Such engagement of these gears effects rota tion of threaded shaft I2I and moves bracket H1 and friction roller H6 to the left as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The first efl'ect of the consequent rotation of shaft IN is to move the shaft to the left until righthand stop I03 engages righthand bracket I 02, as schematically indicated in Fig. 5. This is effectedby proper selection of the direction of the threads of worm wheels 88 and 98 with respect to worms II 4 and H5. The threads are so directed that worm II4 tends to screw-up along worm wheel 88 as worm I I5 tends to screw-out of engagement with worm wheel 98. The lengths of the worms are so selected, with relation to the distance of abutments I03 from the brackets I02, that one of the worms will continue to remain in engagement with its associated worm wheel while the other worm is disengaged from its worm wheel.

When shaft IIII can move no further to the left, worm II4 imparts driving engagement to worm wheel 88 and thus to shaft 84 to rotate reel 40 and wind wire 45 thereon. During such rewinding of wire 45 on reel 40, the spooling mechanism in magazine I5 is operated due to the rotation of reel 4I effected by the unwinding of wire 45 therefrom. Such rotation of reel 4| operates shaft 81 which, through worm I01, worm wheel I08, worm III, worm wheel H2, shaft H3, and spur gear 16, effects operation of the spooling mechanism of the magazine.

Should solenoid I40 be energized, gears I24 and I26 would be engaged, and friction roller I55 secured for rotation with gear I26 would be moved into engagement with friction disk 51. This would effect rotation of threaded shaft I2I in the opposite direction. As shown in Fig. 6, shaft IOI would move to the right until left-hand stop I03 abuts left-hand bracket I02 disengaging worm shaft 31 and H4 from worm wheel 88 while maintaining engagement oi worm III with worm wheel 88. Consequently, reel 4I will be rotated through the associated coupling gears to wind wire 45 thereon when operation of spoolin mechanism spur gear 16 is being effected in the manner previouslydescribed. y

The control of the operation of the mechanism by Push-buttons II, I2 and I3 will be clear from a reference to Fig. 7. Normally, when the apparatu's is in the idling position, switches I42. I44 occupy the position shown in Fig. 7 and switch I43 occupies the position opposite to that shown in Fig. 7. When Rewind push-button II is depressed, it closes an energizing circuit for a relay I60 from terminal I6I through switch I42 and push-button II to terminal I 62. Relay I60 picks up and its armature I63 closes a holding circuit for the relay through conductor I64 connected in parallel with switch II. Relay I60 will thus remain energized until switch I42 opens.

Armature I65 of relay I60 closes a circuit through conductor I64 for solenoid I35 which is connected to terminal I62. Solenoid I35 is thus energized to effect movement of shaft IOI in a left-hand direction as previously described. As bracket II1 travels along shaft I2I, its cam surface I4I engages the roller diagrammatically indicated at I45, of switch I 42 when driving roller I I6 reaches the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Switch I42 is thus opened and breaks the holding circuit for relay I60 which thereupon opens deenergizing solenoid I35 and thus disconnecting the gearing so that the shaft I40 is no longer rotated. When in the depressed position, switch I42 closes a circuit to terminal I6I through its back contact I66 which is connected by a conductor I61 to an armature I68 of idling" relay I10.

When Record/Reproduce push-button I3 is depressed, it closes a circuit I through switch I44 and push-button I3 for relay I15. Through its armature I16 relay I15 closes a holding circuit for itself in parallel with push-button I3 and through its armature I11 closes an energizing circuit for solenoid I40. This engages gears I 24, I26 for rotation of shaft I2I in a direction to move bracket II1 to the right as viewed in Fig. 2. When roller II6 reaches a position to the right of disk 51 corresponding to that indicated at the left in dotted lines, cam surface I4I depresses roller I45 of switch I44 to break the holding circuit for relay I15 and thus effect deenergization of solenoid I40 and consequent stopping of shaft I2I. Switch I 44 then engages its back contact I18 which is connected by a conductor I to armature I8I of relay I10.

When Idling" push-button I2 is depressed, it closes a circuit through switch I43 for relay I 10 which picks up and closes its own holding circuit through its armature I82. Relay I10 likewise engages its armatures I8I and I-68 and, dependent upon which one of switches I42 or I44 is engaged with its back contact, will energize one or other of solenoids I35 or I40 to effect movement of bracket H1 and roller 6 from either the left or right position, relative to Fig. 2, to the central position. When the roller reaches the central position, cam I4I engages roller I45 of switch I43 to open this switch, deenergizing relay I10 and effecting deenergization of whichever one of solenoids I35 or I40 was previously energized.

The described mechanism comprises a simple and effective driving arrangement for a magfrom terminal I6 I I netic recording apparatus. The worm and worm gear arrangements provide an effective block for maintaining the reels against rotation when the apparatus is in the neutral position, and thereby maintain the magnetic recording wire taut between the reels. A significant feature of the drive mechanism is the slow pick-up or acceleration of the spooling drive due to the preliminary disengagement of one of the worms from its worm wheel while the other worm is picking up the drive of its worm wheel. Such slow pick-up prevents any excessive starting shock being imposed on the magnetic recording wire, thereby preventing damage to the wire and prolonging its life. Due to the operation of both the selector mechanism and the reel drive from the same driving member, the driving disk, the mechanism is considerably simplified over that hitherto considered necessary for magnetic recorders.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles thereof, it will be understood that the invention may be otherwise embodied without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. Mechanism for interchanging a linear element between a pair of spaced rotatable reels comprising, in combination, a longitudinally shiftable rotatable shaft; a pair of coupling means each normally coupling said shaft to one of the reels; a driven member effective to rotate said shaft in reverse directions; said driven member normally being inoperative to rotate said shaft and such rotation of said shaft effecting longitudinal movementthereof to disengage one coupling means while maintaining engagement of the other coupling means to effect selective driving of one of the reels; a driving member effective to rotate said driven member in reverse directions; said driven member being shiftable relatively to said driving member from a neutral position to either one of a pair of driving positions; means selectively operable by said driving member to shift said driven member between such positions; mechanism effective to engage such shifting means with said driving member;

\ and means operable automatically when the driven member reaches the selected position to disengage the shifting means from said driving member.

2. Mechanism for interchanging a linear element between a pair of spaced rotatable reels comprising, in combination, a longitudinally shiftable rotatable shaft; a pair of coupling means each normally coupling said shaft to one of the reels, each coupling means comprising a,

worm rotatable with-said shaft and a worm wheel rotatable with one of the reels; a driven member effective to rotate said shaft in reverse directions; said driven member normally being inoperative to rotate said shaft whereby said coupling means will lock the reels against rotation; such rotation of said shaft effecting longitudinal movement thereof to disengage one coupling means while maintaining engagement of the other coupling means to effect selective driving of one of the reels; a driving member effective to rotate said driven member in reverse directions; said driven,

member being shiftable relatively to said driving member from a neutral position to either one of a pair of driving positions; means selectively op driving member; and means operable automatically when the driven member reaches the selected position to disengage the shifting means from said driving member.

3. Mechanism for interchanging a linear element between a pair of spaced rotatable reels comprising, in combination, a longitudinally shiftable rotatable shaft; a pair of coupling means each normally coupling said shaft to one of the reels, each coupling means comprising a worm rotatable with said shaft and a worm wheel rotatable with one of the reels; a driven member effective to rotate said shaft in reverse directions; said driven member normally being inoperative to rotate said shaft whereby said coupling means will lock the reels against rotation; such rotation of said shaft effecting longitudinal movement thereof to disengage one coupling means while maintaining engagement of the other coupling means to effect selective driving of one of the reels; a driving member effective to rotate said driven member in reverse directions; said driven member being shiftable relatively to said driving member from a neutral position to either one of a pair of driving positions; means selectively operable by said driving member to shift said driven member between such positions; mechanism effective to engage such shifting means with said driving member; means operable automatically when the driven member reaches the selected position to disengage the shifting means from said driving member; and abutment means limiting the longitudinal movement of said shaft.

4. Mechanism for interchanging a linear element betweena pair of spaced rotatable reels comprising, in combination a longitudinally shiftable rotatable shaft; a pair of coupling means each normally coupling said shaft to one of the reels; a driven member effective to rotate said shaft in reverse directions; said driven member normally being inoperative to rotate said shaft and such rotation of said shaft effecting longitudinal movement thereof to disengage one coupling means while maintaining engagement of the other coupling means to effect selective driving of one of the reels; a driving member effective to rotate said driven member in reverse directions; said driven member being shiftable relatively to said driving member from a neutral position to either one of a pair of driving positions; means selectively operable by said driving member to shift said driven member between such positions; mechanism eflective to engage such shift- --ing means with said driving member; solenoid position to'deenergize said solenoid means to diserable by said driving member to shift said driven memberbetween such positions; mechanism effective to engage such shifting means with said engage the shifting means from said driving member.

5. Mechanism for interchanging a linear element between a pair of spaced rotatable reels comprising, in combination, a longitudinally -shiftable rotatable shaft; a pair of coupling means each normally coupling said shaft to one of the reels, each coupling means comprising a worm rotatablewith said shaft and a worm wheel rotatable witirone of the reels; a driven member effective to rotatesaid shaft in reverse directions; saiddriven member normally being inoperative to rotate said shaft whereby said coupling means will lock the reels against rotation; such rotation of said shaft effecting longitudinal movement thereof to disengage one coupling means while maintaining engagement of the other coupling means to effect selective driving of one of the reels; a driving member effective to rotate said driven member in reverse directions; said driven member being shiftable relatively to said driving member from a neutral position to either one of a pair of driving positions; means selectively operable by said driving member to shift said driven member between such positions; mechanism effective to engage such shifting means with said driving member; solenoid means selectively energizable to actuate said mechanism; means operable automatically when the driven member reaches the selected position to deenergize said solenoid means to disengage the shifting means from said driving member; and abutment means limiting the longitudinal movement of said shaft.

6. Magnetic recording apparatus for traversing a linear magnetic recording medium between a pairof'spaced rotatable reels and in operative relation with a magnetic translating head comprising, in combination, a pair of rotatable shafts each effective to rotate one of the reels; a longitudinally shiftable rotatable drive shaft; a pair of coupling means each normally coupling said drive shaft to one of the reel shafts; a driven member effective to rotate said drive shaft in reverse directions; said driven member normally being inoperative to rotate said drive shaft and such rotation of said drive shaft effecting longi- I tudinal movement thereof to disengage one coupling means while maintaining engagement of the other coupling means to effect selective driving of one .of the reels; a driving member effective to rotate said driven member in reverse directions; said driven member being shiftable relatively to said driving member from a neutral position to either one of a pair of driving positions; means selectively operable by said driving member to shift said driven member between such positions; mechanism eifective to engage such shifting means with said driving member; and means operable automatically when the driven member reaches the selected position to disengage the shifting means'from said driving member.

'7. Magnetic recording apparatus for traversing a linear magnetic recording medium between a pair of spaced rotatable reels and in operative relation with a magnetic translating head comprising, in combination, a pair of rotatable shafts each effective to rotate one of the reels; a longitudinally shiftable rotatable drive shaft; a pair of coupling means each normally coupling said drive shaft to one of the reel shafts; each coupling means comprising a worm rotatable with said shaft and a worm wheel rotatable with one of the reel shafts; a driven member efiective to rotate said drive shaft-in reverse directions; said driven member normally being inoperative to rotate said drive shaft whereby said, coupling means will lock thereel shafts against rotation; such rotation of said drive shaft effecting longitudinal movement thereof to disengage one coupling means while maintaining engagement of the other coupling means to effect selective driving of one of the reels; a driving member effective to rotate said driven member in reverse directions; said driven member being shiftable relatively to said driving member from a neutral position to either one of a pair of driving positions; means selectively operable by said driving member to shift said driven member between such positions; mechanism effective to engage such shifting means with said driving member; and means operable, automatically when the driven member reaches the selected position to disengage the shifting means from said driving memher.

.8. Magnetic recording apparatus for traversing a linear magnetic recording medium between a pair'of spaced rotatable reels and in operative relation with a magnetic translating head comprising, in combination, a pair of rotatable shafts each effective to rotate one of the reels; a longitudinally shiftable rotatable driveshaft; a pair of coupling means each normally coupling said drive shaft to one of the reel shafts; each coupling means comprising a worm rotatable with' said shaft and a worm wheel rotatable with one of the reel shafts; a driven member eifective to rotate said drive shaft in reverse directions; said driven mmber normally being inoperative to rotate said drive shaft whereby said coupling means will lock the reel shafts against rotation; such rotation of said drive shaft efiecting longitudinal movement thereof to disengage one coupling means while maintaining engagement of the other coupling means to effect selective driving of one of the reels; a driving member effective to rotate said driven member in reverse directions; said driven member being shiftable relatively to said driving member from a neutral position to either one of a pair of driving positions; means selectively operable by said driving member to shift said driven member between such positions; mechanism effective to engage such shifting means with Said driving member; solenoid means selectively energizable to actuate said mechanism; manual control means selectively operable to energize said solenoid means to shift said driven member to a preselected one of such positions; and means operable automatically when thedriven member reaches the selected position to disengage the shifting means from said driving member.

9. Magnetic recording apparatus for traversing a linear magnetic recording medium between a pair of spaced rotatable reels and in operative relation with a magnetic translating head comprising, in combination, a pair of rotatable shafts each effective to rotate one of the reels; a longitudinally shiftable rotatable drive shaft; a pair of coupling means each normally coupling said drive shaft to' one of the reel shafts, each coupling means comprising a worm rotatable with said shaft and a worm wheel rotatable with one of the reel shafts; a friction wheel rotatable with said drive shaft; a friction driving disk effective to engage and rotate said wheel; said wheel being shiftable relatively to said disk from a neutral position to either one or a pair of driving positions; said roller normally being in the neutral position where it is disengaged from said disk whereby said coupling means will lock the reel shafts against rotation; such rotation of said drive shaft effecting longitudinal movement thereof to disengage one coupling means while maintaining engagement of the other coupling means to effect selective driving of one of the I reels; shifting means, including a pair of friction access? 11 matically when the wheel reaches the selected position to deenergize said solenoid means to disengage the shifting means from said disk.

10. A magnetic sound translating unit interchangeably cooperable with magazines each containing a pair of spaced reels for traversing a linear magnetic recording medium with respect to magnetic translating head, said unit comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced rotatable reel operating shafts; a coupling element on each shaft detachably cooperative with a magazine coupling element connected to the associated reel; a longitudinally shiftable rotatable drive shaft; a pair of coupling means each normally coupling said drive shaft to one of the reel operating shafts, each coupling means comprising a worm rotatable with said shaft and a worm wheel rotatable wth one of the reel operating shafts; a friction wheel rotatable with said drive shaft; a friction driving disk effective to engage and relatively to said disk from a neutral position to either one of a pair of driving positions; said wheel normally being in the neutral position where it is disengaged from said disk whereby said coupling means will against rotation; such rotation of said drive shaft effecting longitudinal movement thereof to disengage one coupling means while maintaining engagement of the other coupling means to effect selective driving of one of the reels; means, including a pair of friction rollers selectively engageable with said disk, effective to shift such wheel between such positions; mechanism effective to selectively engage one of said rollers rotate said wheel; said wheel being shiftable lock the reel shafts shifting with said disk to operate said shifting means;

solenoid means selectively energizable to actuate said mechanism; manual control means selectively operable to energize said solenoid means to shift said wheel to a preselected one of such positions; and means operable automatically when the wheel reaches the selected position to deenergize said solenoid means to disengage the shifting means from said disk.

11. A magnetic sound translating unit interchangeably cooperable with magazines each containing a pair of spaced reels for traversing a linear magnetic recording medium with respect to a magnetic translating head and spooling mechanism effective to layer wind the medium onto and off of the reels, said unit comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced rotatable reel operating shafts; a coupling element on each shaft detachably cooperative with a magazine coupling i Y element connected to the associated reel; a coupling gear detachably cooperative with a magazine coupling element connected to the spoolin mechanism; reduction gearing connecting one of said shafts to said coupling gear for operating the spooling mechanism at a reduced rate relative to the reel rotation rate; a longitudinally shiftable rotatable drive shaft; a pair of couplin means each normally coupling said drive shaft to one of the reel operating shafts, each coupling means comprising a worm rotatable with said shaft and a worm wheel rotatable with one of the reel operating shafts; a friction wheel rotatable with said drive shaft; a friction driving disk effective to engage and rotate said wheel; said wheel being shiftable relatively to said disk from a neutral position to either one of a pair of driving positions; said wheel normally being in the neutral position where it is disengaged from said disk whereby said coupling means will lock the reel shafts against rotation; such rotation of said drive shaft effecting longitudinal movement thereof to disengage one coupling means while maintaining engagement of the other coupling means to effect selective driving of one of the reels; shifting means, including a pair of friction rollers selectively engageable with said disk, effective to shift such wheel between such positions; mechanism effective to selectively engage one of said rollers with said disk to operate said shifting means; solenoid means selectively energizable to actuate said mechanism; manual control means selectively operable to energize said solenoid-means to shift said wheel to a preselected one of such positions; and means operable automatically when the wheel reaches the selected position to deenergize said solenoid means to dis engage the shifting means from said disk.

WILLARD H. WADE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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